Träger des Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuz
SS-Hauptsturmführer Rudolf von Ribbentrop

Photo Source: SHI

Obersturmführer Rudolf Ribbentrop was the commander of the 6th Company, Panzer-Regiment "Leibstandarte." On 9 July 1943, while leading his company through a depression along the Russian Steppe in the combat area north of Bjelgorod near Tererewino, a formation of 40 Soviet T-34 tanks was spotted on the march. Without hesitation he ordered to engage the enemy that was comprised of superior numbers. During the brief exchange of fire Ribbentrop destroyed 6 enemy tanks without a single loss to his own company, while the remaining Soviet tanks fled the scene. Ribbentrop's leadership by example, tactical prowess, and command presence in the face of ridiculous odds spoiled a Soviet flanking attack against his own unit.

Three days later, at 0500 on the morning of 12 July, Ribbentrop received orders to protect German infantry against any unexpected Soviet tanks. With 7 company vehicles he was combat ready. Between 0800 and 0900 the first flares already reported the approach of Russian battle wagons. The Soviets launched a concentrated tank assault between Prochorowka and Tererewino, at a scale that had never been witnessed before. Ribbentrop's tanks quickly moved forward to the front line where they met two attacking mechanized assault prongs, spaced at over 500 meters apart, of approximately 150 Soviet T-34 tanks. There was no time for calculations. Four of the Leibstandarte tanks were immediately disabled as the company stood approximately 200 meters in front of the Soviet attack. The remaining German tanks braved the superior forces and fought back hard. Every shot at this distance was a hit, however it did not prevent the multitude of Soviet tanks from overrunning the German infantry, in and among the tanks of Ribbentrop's company. The German tanks that remained operable then headed in the direction of their own command post, approximately 1000 meters to the rear. While driving between the Soviet T-34 tanks, Ribbentrop's tanks destroyed Soviet armor at distances of 10-30 meters. One T-34 after another, smoking or in flames, they came to a halt and stood motionless on the battlefield. Before the Soviet armored formation could come within range of the German command post, it had been effectively depleted by the skill of Ribbentrop and his men. It was sheer luck that none of the Leibstandarte tanks were hit by their own fire, as the battlefield was littered with Soviet T-34 tanks and infantry. After the 6th Company restored contact with the command post, a decisive counterattack was launched that sealed the fate of the remaining Soviet attackers.

Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop played a key role in providing his own forces enough time to prepare for battle and personally led to the destruction of the Soviet armored formation. During this engagement Ribbentrop succeeded in destroying 14 Soviet T-34 tanks. For his bravery and determination, he was awarded the Knight's Cross on 15 July 1943.

Rudolf von Ribbentrop attended High School in Berlin. For one year he was enrolled in the Westminster Boarding School in London, and for two years he attended the National Reformatory Ilfeld where he completed his matriculation examination. Subsequently he satisfied his compulsory Reich Labor Service (RAD). Ribbentrop entered the SS-Verfügungstruppe (special service troops) at the outbreak of war in 1939. As a member of the 11th Company, SS-Regiment "Deutschland," he participated in 1940 in the Western Campaign against France where he received the Iron Cross 2nd Class and was promoted to Sturmmann. He was then ordered to the SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig where, upon his graduation, he was promoted to Standarten-Oberjunker and to Untersturmführer on 20 April 1940. In Finland in September 1941, Ribbentrop was wounded a second time while serving as a Platoon leader in a reconnaissance section of the SS-Kampfgruppe "Nord." After his recovery he was ordered in February 1942 to the newly formed Panzerabteilung of the Division Leibstandarte SS "Adolf Hitler." During the Battle of Charkow in Feb-Mar 1943, he served as a Platoon leader in the 6th Company and as the 7th Company commander. Suffering his third wound he was awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class. Prior to attack north of Bjelgorod against Kursk during the Operation "Zitadelle," Ribbentrop was given command of the 6th Company. Once the Kursk offensive had been broken off he was transferred to France to the SS-Panzerregiment 12, of the "Hitler Jugend" Division. In France he organized the 3rd Company and entered battle with his company along the Invasion Front where he was wounded a fourth time and received the German Cross in Gold. In September 1944 he became the Regimental Adjutant for the SS-Panzerregiment 12, however assumed command of the 1st Section during the Ardennes Offensive after Sturmbannführer Jürgensen could no longer serve in that capacity. After receiving his fifth wound he was awarded the Wound Badge in Gold. Ribbentrop also led the 1st Section during the operations in Hungary until the cease fire on 8 May 1945.